Word Origin & History

jest c.1300, "narrative of exploits" (originally in verse), from O.Fr. geste "action, exploit," from L. gesta "deeds," neut. pl. of gestus, pp. of gerere "to carry, behave, act, perform." Sense descended through "idle tale" (c.1470) to "mocking speech, raillery" (c.1548) to "joke" (1551). The verb in the sense of "to speak in a trifling manner" is from 1530. Jester developed from M.E. gestour "a minstrel, professional reciter of romances" (c.1380), from gesten "recite a tale," which was a jester's original function; sense of "buffoon in a prince's court" is from 1510.

Example Sentences for jest

I gin these to marm, jest as she was a setting down to breakfast.

For you know laughing without a jest is as impertinent, hee!

Come, come, all this was in jest: now let's to't in earnest—I mean with our teeth, and try who's the best trencher-man.

It is so terrible, Ecciva: I cannot jest, nor gloat on it for news.

But Colden, suspecting that his jest was truth rather, had too much delicacy to pursue the subject.

He knows I don't want sech things, and he does it jest to aggravate me.

The reply seems to be beating out a jest very thin; but gradually the Easy Chair contrives to explain.

His language, where he could spare and pass by a jest, was nobly censorious.

He jest natcherally drifted on into the midst of nowhere, he said—miles and miles into Canada.

I'm sorry, though, if I disturbed you by my cryin'—but I jest couldn't help it.